It Takes a Village, and This One’s in Puerto Vallarta

When I first came to Puerto Vallarta, I thought I was just moving to a pretty beach town.

I knew about the sunsets, the ocean, the cobblestone streets, and the colours that make this place feel like a painting in motion. What I didn’t expect was how much of the magic here would come from the people.

I’m not talking about the locals in this one, who are magic in their own right. I’ve written about them many times, and I will again. Today, I’m talking about the transplants. The dreamers, the doers, the ones quietly (or loudly) working behind the scenes to make this community more livable, more connected, and more meaningful.

Over time, I’ve had the privilege of crossing paths with some amazing people. All of them have one thing in common. They’re doing things here not just for themselves, but for the greater good. And in the spirit of community, I want to share a bit about some of them. I couldn’t possibly write about all of them here, so there will be more to come!

First up is Omar Rosales, and he’s got the eyes of an eagle. He’s the kind of photographer who doesn’t just take photos, he finds them.

He’s the man behind Ojo de Águila Photography, and his work captures the soul of Puerto Vallarta and its surrounding areas in a way words never could. Market vendors, sun-drenched streets, quiet fishermen in the early morning hours, landscapes rich in feeling, his lens sees everything. He gives it back to us with heart.

I’ve worked with him on a few projects, and every time, I’m floored by how much he notices. It’s in the details. The look in someone’s eye, the symmetry of shadows, the flicker of life in a moment most of us would walk right past.

I once asked him how he captures such emotion. He said, “You have to fall in love with your subject. That’s the secret.”

And maybe that’s true for everything we do.

Next up is Matthew Werter. Matt’s helping to heal the people of Puerto Vallarta with intention by making people rethink what healthcare means in a place like this.

I remember chatting with him over lunch one afternoon. He didn’t just talk about medicine, he talked about well-being. He talked about a community being able to access medical treatment quickly and with trust.

He’s passionate about making sure that both locals and expats have access to quality, competent care. And he doesn’t just talk the talk. He’s building a network that connects people to health professionals, helps them navigate the Mexican healthcare system, and offers something that’s hard to find even in your home country, peace of mind.

He allows people to see their health as their freedom; like a passport that opens doors.

You know when you meet people and they instantly feel like family? That’s Gary and Melissa Arnieri of Bucket List Travel. They have this contagious energy, like every trip they plan is a love letter to possibility.

One night at dinner, Melissa told me how they started helping people craft bucket list experiences and how it wasn’t just about logistics. It was about purpose. About finally taking that trip you’ve talked about for 10 years and making it real.

They don’t just book travel. They unlock it. And they do it with joy. That’s the kind of perspective that makes you want to say yes more often.

I don’t remember the first time I met Kirsten Raccuia, but I do remember how good it felt to meet another writer.

She’s the voice behind Sand in My Curls, a blog that offers sharp, honest insights into expat life in Puerto Vallarta and beyond. She covers the real stuff like the bugs, the culture shocks, the rollercoaster of emotions, and the joy of building a life far from home.

Kirsten writes about what it means to find yourself in a place that constantly shifts around you. The highs, the lows, and all the human stuff in between.

Monday nights used to just be Monday nights. Until I started watching Brent Lane and Jessy Ruiz deliver the local news in English on CPS Media.

Suddenly, festivals, protests, road closures, and immigration updates started making more sense. And it wasn’t just about translation, it was about context. Brent brings an excited delivery, while Jessy adds warmth that makes even the tough stories feel approachable.

Living in a foreign country can sometimes make you feel a step behind. But with Brent and Jessy on my screen, I feel caught up and connected.

I’ve never actually met Brent Camplin, but when my mother was visiting, he and CanMex Health offered a whole lot of comfort when she became incredibly ill.

We talked about the best course of action, but also about the bureaucracy that so often surrounds healthcare.

CanMex helps people navigate the messy stuff. The red tape, logistics, and appointments. All the things you didn’t think about when you came to Puerto Vallarta on vacation or decided to move here.

He has a gift for making complicated things feel simple. And he has the patience of a saint. He reminded me that people don’t come here to deal with paperwork, but sometimes it’s part of the journey. And he’s very good at making that journey less painful.

If Omar sees the beauty, and Matt helps people feel better, and Gary and Melissa encourage people to live fully, then Melanie Henderson is holding space for all of it to happen.

Her Facebook page, Puerto Vallarta Experience Share, is one I visit daily.

She doesn’t just run a Facebook group, she curates a community. It’s a space where people ask questions, share advice, post events, and lift each other up. Need a vet? A plumber? A hidden beach? Melanie’s group has the answer.

There are a number of pages that do that, but her’s stands out in how she moderates with care. She leads with kindness. She shows up, day after day, with zero fanfare, just to make sure the space stays useful and safe.

When I finally met her in person, she was just as lovely as I imagined. Real, grounded, and full of heart.

This city can feel overwhelming when you first arrive. But Melanie’s page makes it feel like you’ve got a neighbour on every corner.

Every single person on this list has reminded me something. Not just in my professionally life, but personally as well. A way of thinking. A sense of purpose. A reminder of what community really means.

From Omar, I’ve been reminded to look closer, with more excitement and passion, at life, and to embrace it full steam ahead.

From Matt, I’ve been reminded that true health starts with trust and compassion, and we should always have it as a focus.

From Gary and Melissa, I’ve been reminded to chase joy, not just itineraries, because life is remarkably short.

From Kirsten, I’ve been reminded that writing helps others feel less alone, and that we all need to connect to something.

From Brent L. and Jessy, I’ve been reminded that information is power, especially when it’s shared with heart, so we must use it wisely.

From Brent C., I’ve been reminded that crossing borders is about more than geography, it’s about navigating with courage.

From Melanie, I’ve been reminded that the quiet work behind the scenes is often the most impactful, and that kindness is strength.

I came to Puerto Vallarta for the beauty, but I’ve stayed because of the people.

And if you’re lucky enough to live here, or even just visit, take a moment to notice those around you. The ones building businesses, crafting stories, sharing knowledge, and holding space.

Puerto Vallarta isn’t just palm trees and sunsets. It’s the Omars, Matts, Melissas, Garys, Kirstens, Brent Ls, Jessys, Brent Cs, and Melanies.

It’s you.

It’s me.

It’s us.